BASKETWEAVE QUILT PATTERN

Basketweave quilt

This basketweave quilt pattern was a request which I am delighted to bring you. It is one of those lovely patterns that looks quite complex but is really very simple to make. I have made it quite small so it would make a very pretty baby quilt or a small quilted throw. In fact, I realised afterwards that it could be made in Christmas colours as a table topper. It measures about 35″ square and I have used 3/4 yard each of brown and white with about 11″ cut across the width of coloured fabric. I used several different coloured jelly roll strips for the coloured squares.

The basketweave quilt is made by creating four triangles which are joined together with strips of brown.

Cutting requirements

2.1/2″ squares: four brown, eighty white, sixty coloured squares

2.7/8″ brown squares for the triangles: eighteen

two 2″ brown strips cut across the width of fabric for joining the sections

seven 1.1/2″ white strips for borders one and three

four 2.1/2″ brown strips for border two

Making the basketweave triangles

Rows of squares

The triangles are made using columns of squares with a triangle at the top of each column. Cut the 2.7/8″ brown squares along one diagonal to make triangles.

Begin with a brown 2.1/2″ square in the bottom left corner. Going up that column, add white square then colour alternating until you have eight squares. Lay one triangle at the top of this column with the square corner of the triangle (the right angle) at the bottom left of the triangle. The second column begins with white and then alternates colour with white until there are seven squares. Lay a triangle at the top of the column. The third row begins with a colour square and alternates colour with white until there are six squares. Add a triangle. Continue laying the squares out in columns getting smaller so that the fourth row has five squares with one triangle, the next row four squares and so on. Both the white and the coloured squares should form diagonal lines and the top of the triangles should start to form a smooth line down the top of the overall triangle shape. The final column (on the right) is a single triangle with no squares.

One basketweave triangle

Sew the squares together down each column and then sew the columns together. One way of checking the placement of the squares is that the bottom row should be exactly the same as the left hand column. Make four of these triangles.

Joining the basketweave triangles

Join the basketweave triangles

Join the basketweave triangles using 2″ strips of brown fabric. Cut two 2″ strips of brown across the width of fabric and cut one of them in half. Place two triangles with the brown squares in the middle and the brown triangles on the outside. Lay one of the brown half strips between the triangles, matching the edges at the bottom – there will be some brown fabric sticking out at the top. Sew the brown strip to both triangles to join them. Repeat with the second pair of triangles.

Square off the corners

Finished corner

Square off the excess brown strip to make a corner. Lay your ruler with its edge in line with the outer edge of the brown triangles and cut the excess fabric (top right in the photo). Turn your ruler so that it lines up with the other outer edge of brown triangles and cut the excess fabric again to create a neat squared off corner as shown on the right.

Join the pairs of triangles

Take the full length strip of 2″ brown fabric and lay between the two pairs of triangles. Line up the centre of the strip with the centres of the two triangles so that you have the same amount of brown strip sticking out at each end. Sew the strip to each pair of basketweave triangles and square off the corners as before. That completes the main section of the basketweave quilt top.

Borders for the basketweave quilt

First border for the basketweave quilt

For the first border I have used 1.1/2″ strips of white fabric. It’s a good idea to sew the border on straight away because all those brown triangle edges are liable to stretch. Your quilt should measure (very approximately) 27″ square, but please do measure your own quilt before you cut the border strips. Sew a 27″ length of binding to the top and bottom and a length of 29″ to each side.

Second border for the basketweave quilt

Third border for the basketweave quilt

The second border for the basketweave quilt is made using 2.1/2″ strips of brown fabric. Again these measurements are approximate: two lengths of 29″ for the top and bottom and two lengths of 33″ for the sides.

Back to the 1.1/2″ white strips for the third border: two lengths of 33″ for the top and bottom and two lengths of 35″ for the sides.

That completes the basketweave quilt top and it is now ready for layering, quilting and binding. These steps are given in detail on the beginner quilting page.

Here’s the video:

Union Jack quilt pattern

I have been asked many times for a Union Jack quilt pattern, so I have made a stylised version of it. I have taken liberties with some of the stripes in order to keep the quilt pattern simple. You can see it on Union Jack quilt.

Comments

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful quilt pattern. Your instructions were very helpful. Taking it very slowly and not wanting to make any mistakes. I also wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your site on Youtube. Marion

Hi Rose, I like this pattern, I always enjoy your quilt patterns and your videos. I would love to visit your shop in Ludlow, England, I’ve been to England and I absolutely love it and the people are wonderful. Maybe I will see you some day. You do a wonderful job of teaching!

Thank you for your kind words, Teresa. I don’t actually have a physical shop – everything is done online. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to England – I agree with you that it’s a pretty special place!